The Nice Girl Syndrome: Stop Being Manipulated and Abused -- And Start Standing Up for Yourself - Paperback

by Beverly Engel (Author)

How women can overcome the pressure to please others and feel free to be their true selves

Are you too nice for your own good? Do family members manipulate you? Do coworkers take advantage of you? If this sounds familiar, read The Nice Girl Syndrome. In this breakthrough guide, renowned author and therapist Beverly Engel, who has helped thousands of women recognize and leave emotionally abusive relationships, can show you how to take control of your life and take care of yourself.

Engel explains that women today simply cannot afford to be Nice Girls, because women who are too nice send the message that they are easy targets and are much more likely to be victimized emotionally, physically, and sexually. She identifies the seven different types of Nice Girls and helps you understand which type or types might apply to you. Engel helps you determine whether the Nice Girl Syndrome is keeping you in an abusive relationship or in manipulative situations and helps you change Nice Girl beliefs and behaviors that are holding you back.

• Shows you how to confront the beliefs and behaviors that keep you stuck in a Nice Girl act as you replace them with healthier, more empowering ones
• Includes inspiring stories of women Engel has worked with who have found the courage and strength to stop taking abuse and start standing up for themselves
• "This book will challenge, entertain, and empower its readers."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)
• Written by renowned author and therapist Beverly Engel, who has helped thousands of women recognize and leave emotionally abusive relationships

Filled with wise advice, powerful exercises, and practical prescriptions, The Nice Girl Syndrome shows you step by step how to take control of your life and be your own strong woman.

Back Jacket

Self-help

"Readers will find [Beverly] Engel's elucidation of the four causes of 'Nice Girl Syndrome' and the 'Seven Types of Nice Girls' (e.g., Doormat, Pretender, Prude, Enlightened One) deeply funny and familiar. . . . This book will challenge, entertain, and empower its readers."
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Are you too nice for your own good? Do family members manipulate you? Do coworkers take advantage of you? If this sounds familiar, read The Nice Girl Syndrome.

In this breakthrough guide, internationally acclaimed therapist and emotional abuse expert Beverly Engel explains that women today simply cannot afford to be Nice Girls, because women who are too nice send the message that they are easy targets and are much more likely to be victimized emotionally, physically, and sexually. Engel helps you determine whether the Nice Girl Syndrome is keeping you in an abusive relationship or in manipulative situations. She identifies the seven different types of Nice Girls and shows you how to tell which type or types you are. Through prescriptive action steps, Engel shows you how to confront the beliefs and behaviors that keep you stuck in your Nice Girl act and how to replace them with healthier, more empowering ones.

To help you in your journey from Nice Girl to fulfilled woman, Engel tells the inspiring stories of clients she has worked with who have found the courage and strength to stop being abused and who have broken free from those who manipulate, belittle, and take advantage of them. Filled with wise advice, powerful exercises, and practical prescriptions, The Nice Girl Syndrome will show you step by step how to be your own strong woman.

Author Biography

BEVERLY ENGEL, an internationally recognized expert in emotional and sexual abuse, is the author of numerous successful books, including The Emotionally Abusive Relationship, Loving Him without Losing You, and Healing Your Emotional Self. Engel has appeared on many national television shows, including Oprah. Her work has been featured in publications such as O: The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Psychology Today, and the Washington Post.